Mixing Mined Diamonds and MMD?

[jaysonsmom]

Have any of you mixed MMD and mined diamonds yet? After receiving my 20th anniversary custom cut MMD OEC (2.80ct) , I find that I don't wear my 1.81ct rb (mined) anymore. Both are in solitaire type settings.

I finally pulled the trigger today, and ordered 2 lightbox 3/8 carat pendants (on sale) to use as side stones to reset my 1.81 ct into a 3-stone, and I really hope the 2 stones match in diameter, color etc. I will either have it sized as a right hand ring or alternate e-ring. I wear my MMD OEC with my mined diamonds bands everyday, but don't really have them on one ring. Have any of you mixed mined and lab grown diamonds (of significant size) one one ring yet? Can you please post pics?

Thank you!

 

[jaysonsmom]

I guess I didn’t get much feedback on this thread because I didn’t attach some pictures to show what I’m trying to do....

I have an existing platinum setting with 3 CZ’s (5mm, 8mm, 5mm) that I wear as my travel ring. This ring is about 19 years old because it got it for my 1 year anniversary gift. CZs have become cloudy/mushy.

At 10 year anniversary, I upgraded my ering to 1.8 ct H mined diamond...and at 20 year anniversary I received my 2.8ct MMD. Both are solitaire type rings. I find that I don’t wear my 1.8ct ring at all, so I’m thinking of setting that into my 3-stone setting and buying 2 MMDs for side stones. Voila, Lightbox winter sale....and here I am. Would love to hear any comments/ advice on whether I should do it?

 

[FL_runner]

I don’t see why you shouldn’t mix and match! I think it will look great.

 

[jaysonsmom]

I don’t see why you shouldn’t mix and match! I think it will look great.

All 3 diamonds, mined and MMD are slightly smaller in diameter than the CZs (4.6mm, 7.75mm/4.75mm), so I'm going to have to go see a jeweler to see if my existing setting will work. I'm also going to order another 3/8 Lightbox necklace because the 2 I have right now are not close enough in cut/color to be a good sidestone match. When I get the 3rd, I'll pick the 2 closest to use for my ring and return the unused one.

 

[Kim N]

I see no reason not to mix mined and mmd! The proportions look very nice with your center stone. Can I ask how far off the cut/color are from each other on the two Lightbox stones? Just curious about general Lightbox quality.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Of course you should, why not?! I think it will make for a beautiful 3 stone. Let us know when the new contender comes in so we can eyeball them with you.

 

[AprilBaby]

I had a lovely three stone and upgraded to a solitaire. I’ve considered using blue LB diamonds and making it back into a three stone.

 

[jaysonsmom]

I see no reason not to mix mined and mmd! The proportions look very nice with your center stone. Can I ask how far off the cut/color are from each other on the two Lightbox stones? Just curious about general Lightbox quality.

I feel that one is near colorless (G-H) closer to my GIA graded H center stone, while the other is whiter (DEF)! Definitely well worth the $300 (each) spent!

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

Do you have 2 of the side stones that match the G-H? I would try to stick with that, so you have some color consistency and the center stone is the same/whitest! This will be such a pretty ring and great way to use your 3 stone setting. Can't wait to see the final pics!

 

[jaysonsmom]

Do you have 2 of the side stones that match the G-H? I would try to stick with that, so you have some color consistency and the center stone is the same/whitest! This will be such a pretty ring and great way to use your 3 stone setting. Can't wait to see the final pics!

Not yet....I just ordered my 3rd lightbox diamond! I will post all 3 when I get it. You can all help me pick the best 2 size/color match for my center.

 

[jaysonsmom]

here is another closeup picture where you can see the size and color difference. I feel I like the bottom one is larger and warmer. Actually a better match for my centerstone and setting.

 

[Decision_Decisions]

Looks lovely! I definitely wouldn't want to settle on the stones for a 3 stone though, because you'll easily be able to constantly compare them to each other. If the LB stones aren't a good match maybe you can buy individual stones for a bit more? I don't think JA goes that small but rare carat might come close?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I guess I didn’t get much feedback on this thread because I didn’t attach some pictures to show what I’m trying to do....

I have an existing platinum setting with 3 CZ’s (5mm, 8mm, 5mm) that I wear as my travel ring. This ring is about 19 years old because it got it for my 1 year anniversary gift. CZs have become cloudy/mushy.

At 10 year anniversary, I upgraded my ering to 1.8 ct H mined diamond...and at 20 year anniversary I received my 2.8ct MMD. Both are solitaire type rings. I find that I don’t wear my 1.8ct ring at all, so I’m thinking of setting that into my 3-stone setting and buying 2 MMDs for side stones. Voila, Lightbox winter sale....and here I am. Would love to hear any comments/ advice on whether I should do it?

Im very interested in this as i brought a 3 stone ring pre-loved and the centre diamond had been replaced with a windowed blue topaz
Its not that i don't like the topaz - because i actually love it but id like to put a diamond back in there and the price i was quoted (the mall store where it originally came from) it was almost 5.5 times what i paid for the ring
So i have my eye on a lightbox solution very similar to yours

best of luck
i want your's to work out perfectly

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I had a lovely three stone and upgraded to a solitaire. I’ve considered using blue LB diamonds and making it back into a three stone.

When you do i want a nice detailed thread with a zillion pix
A blue centre stone might be eaiser than me trying to match the side stones

 

[jaysonsmom]

I received my 3rd LB necklace today....took some pictures in different lighting conditions. Tell me which 2 match the best and why? We will label them A,B,C from top to bottom and they are in same order from left to right

 

[FL_runner]

In the first two pics it seems like B and C are the closest in tint, but viewing on a monitor can be deceptive.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I second, on the white background B and C are closely matched tint wise.
On the wood background however the two outside stones, or A and C have the most matched cut pattern at that angle.

 

[jaysonsmom]

@FL_runner I concur! Tint wise, B and C are the best Match. @ItsMainelyYou, you're also right in the sense that A and C seem to be the most crisp and similar in cut pattern. A friend of mine (non-PSer) said the same when I sent her the pictures. Meanwhile, my daughter chose A and B being the best match due to diameter!

Oh dear, I thought picking 2 out of 3 would be easy, but not so...I also don't want to over complicate an inexpensive project by ordering more and returning more diamonds, so I may just take all 3 to the jeweler and ask him to pick!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Actually, that's a great idea, taking it to the jeweler and having them pick might be the easiest way to go. You have good contenders and a real world set of eyes will clear up lingering doubt.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

A is the whitest of them, B shows the most color, and C is in between. And A and C seem to be the best cut! Great idea to have your jeweler pick, as it will depend on the color of your center stone and diamonds can look very different in photos based on lighting, photography, etc.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Update: I'm likely NOT going to use any of these 3 pendant stones from Lightbox for my 3-stone ring setting, no 2 matched well enough for my picky brain, and having to see it on my hand would drive me batty. Went to my local jeweler for a consultation, and they said that these 3/8 carat stones were all smaller than my setting would allow, and they'd rather re-build a setting for me than trying to fit smaller stones into a bigger setting. They also determined that 0.5ct stones would work better for my setting and be more proportionate to my center stone, so I ordered James Allen preset MMD studs 1ctw (which are selected to be perfectly matched) to see if they would be a better fit for this project. Stay tuned.....

 

[jaysonsmom]

For those still following my 3-stone project, My James Allen preset labgrown studs came in today, they are beautifully matched in size, both in the 5.11mm-5.15mm range and F-G color was spot on. My mined H centerstone is just a smidge warmer, but when all 3 are facing up, they are close enough not to bother me. Keepers for sure! Can’t wait to get them set in my ring setting!

 

[Dandi]

For those still following my 3-stone project, My James Allen preset labgrown studs came in today, they are beautifully matched in size, both in the 5.11mm-5.15mm range and F-G color was spot on. My mined H centerstone is just a smidge warmer, but when all 3 are facing up, they are close enough not to bother me. Keepers for sure! Can’t wait to get them set in my ring setting!

The proportions are PERFECT!! Ooooh I cannot wait to see your new 3 stone, it's going to be spectacular!!

 

[jaysonsmom]

She is finally done! I actually had to change out the 6 prong basket from my originally setting and reworked with a 4 prong basket that fit my 1.81ct center better. Without further ado....my mined Center with 1 ctw James Allen F/G preset studs as sidestones! They were made for each other!!!!!

Now I have 2 amazing wedding sets with a mishmash of MMD and mined diamonds! I have already posted this 3-stone in SMTB thread called where are my 3-stone girls?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Spectacular result

 

[123ducklings]

She is finally done! I actually had to change out the 6 prong basket from my originally setting and reworked with a 4 prong basket that fit my 1.81ct center better. Without further ado....my mined Center with 1 ctw James Allen F/G preset studs as sidestones! They were made for each other!!!!!

Now I have 2 amazing wedding sets with a mishmash of MMD and mined diamonds! I have already posted this 3-stone in SMTB thread called where are my 3-stone girls?

Fantastic! I missed this thread until now; it was fun to catch up on your journey in time for the big reveal. The ring looks AMAZING!

 

[jaysonsmom]

Spectacular result

Thank you! I’m happy to be able to combine 2 unworn rings into 1 that is different than my solitaire, and hopefully will get some more finger time.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Fantastic! I missed this thread until now; it was fun to catch up on your journey in time for the big reveal. The ring looks AMAZING!

Thank you! I will take more pictures in daylight tomorrow. It was already dark when I picked up the ring today.

 

[Kim N]

The proportions are perfect! They really look like they were made for each other! Absolutely beautiful.

 

[jaysonsmom]

I had a lovely three stone and upgraded to a solitaire. I’ve considered using blue LB diamonds and making it back into a three stone.

You should do it! It will be fabulous!